LOS ANGELES, CA - (March 9, 2010) - Oscar(R) nominee Gabourey Sidibe will make her way from the mean streets of '80s Harlem in Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire to the cushy, modern-day Connecticut suburbs in the new SHOWTIME dark comedy series, THE BIG C. Sidibe, who guest starred in the pilot episode, just signed on as a recurring guest star in the half-hour series, which is headlined by multiple award-winner Laura Linney as Cathy, a repressed suburban wife and mother who reclaims her life after a terminal cancer diagnosis. Oliver Platt (2012) stars as her immature, but well-meaning husband. Sidibe will play a smart-alecky student in Cathy's class.

THE BIG C, which will begin shooting 13 episodes in May for a late summer premiere, is created and written by Darlene Hunt, who will serve as executive producer, along with Linney, Neal H. Moritz and Vivian Cannon. It is produced by Original Film in association with Sony Pictures Television. Acclaimed writer/director/producer Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) directed the pilot.